However, my aim is that it offers you hours of ideas for future sessions
You may not agree with all the points and my suggestions
please take a view on each
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Be Aware
Badminton stances are anticipatory: They are based on what the player believes the opponent may play or something that they want to be ready for. Therefore, your practice needs to include situations that happen in a game. Real situations with rackets, shuttles, and decisions by both players.
Tactical decisions are key: Encourage the player to make a decision and then take up a stance accordingly. The coach can advise in terms of content but should not call out or insist on which stance is adopted.
Game-likeness is important: The situations you create must be ‘real’. They can be parts of a game and the rallies may be shorter (3-7 shots)
One shuttle provides context: Striking and returning the same shuttle provides context to the rally situations and especially the ‘gap’ between strokes. It’s these gaps when the stances are used. plus the ‘coach’ manufactured gaps in multi-feeding aren’t real!
Sometimes no stance is required: Not every gap between strokes requires a stance. Sometimes the tactical choice is just to move, fast! Ensure that ‘feeding’ creates these situations, that’s one shuttle work not 10’s of shuttles.
The final direction of movement vs initial stance: Be aware that the direction the player eventually moves is based on the stroke played by the opponent. Therefore, it is possible that a stance can be adopted to aid movement in one direction, but the player then moves in another. This is not an error.
Anticipate by preparing in a stance for either the shuttle that will hit your court first or the shot you want your opponent to play.
Experiment, try them out, be fearless in your anticipation. Don’t worry about making a mistake.
Ask your coach for practices that have lots of mini rallies, it’s difficult to practices stances in a multi-shuttle. Rallies are not the same as multi-drills.
Watch videos and look for stances: what was chosen, what was the rally situation, what happened next
Research, study and discuss the use of stances with other coaches. Read what you can, watch matches (especially from the side of the court), and share your thoughts.
Realise that standing and starting in a square position only happens some of the time (maybe less than 50%)
Soon after the early introduction of stances, work towards minimising the technical content (information) in favour of tactical situations (as in a game). Can you force yourself to stop reinforcing the technical points?
Ensure that the shuttle is returned. Fill your practices with opportunities to anticipate. Encourage players to observe, make free choices, plan, reflect.
Do not draw a player’s attention to the split-step. Rather through conversation (Q&A) draw their attention to the choices of stances.
The practice situations will enable the player to experience the different badminton stances. How many situations can you set up where they start but have an opportunity to use all 3 stances?
Stances are as important as grips, so introduce them early in a player’s development. They are essential in effective movements.
It’s the practice situations you create that are most important, not your technical knowledge.
The coaches guide to badminton stances Parts 1 – 3
During individual (one-to-one) sessions, let the player start many of the practices. The benefits are huge. Are you confident to let the player start a practice?
